The gene encoding the ketogenic enzyme HMGCS2 displays a unique expression during gonad development in mice.

Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) cause profound psychological and reproductive consequences for the affected individuals, however, most are still unexplained at the molecular level. Here, we present a novel gene, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 2 (HMGCS2), encoding a metabolic enzyme in the liver important for energy production from fatty acids, that shows an unusual expression pattern in developing fetal mouse gonads. Shortly after gonadal sex determination it is up-regulated in the developing testes following a very similar spatial and temporal pattern as the male-determining gene Sry in Sertoli cells before switching to ovarian enriched expression.

Correlation between allopregnanolone levels and depressive symptoms during late menopausal transition and early postmenopause.

Objectives: This observational, cross-sectional study included 140 women with climacteric symptoms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and allopregnanolone levels in women during late menopausal transition and early postmenopause.

Methods: The study group was divided into two groups: 45 women in late menopausal transition and 95 early postmenopausal women.

The MAOA, COMT, MTHFR and ESR1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk of depression in menopausal women.

Objective: The aim of the study was assessment of a possible relationship between the polymorphisms of the candidate genes participating in the etiology of some neurological and psychiatric disorders and the risk of depression in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods: A total of 167 (54 perimenopausal and 113 postmenopausal) Caucasian women from western Poland, aged 42-67, were recruited as the patient group in the study because of depressive symptoms, and another 321 healthy women (102 perimenopausal and 219 postmenopausal) served as the controls. All study participants were evaluated for climacteric and depressive disorders according to the Kupperman index and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD), respectively.

Disturbances of sleep continuity in women during the menopausal transition.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of sleep continuity disorders in women during menopausal transition, to evaluate the relationship between disturbances of sleep continuity and the severity of menopausal syndrome and the occurrence of various symptoms of this syndrome, as well as to evaluate the association between the presence of sleep disturbances and serum concentrations of gonadotropins, prolactin and sex hormones.

Methods: Consecutive 140 women (mean age 54.4 ± 4.

[Is the assessment of biological activity of prolactin essential in the diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia?].

Unlabelled: Hyperprolactinemia is one of the most essential reproductive disorders in women and men. The incidence of hyperprolactinemia in women with impaired reproductive function is about 17%. Etiopathogenesis of menstrual disorders in hyperprolactinemia is related to inhibitory influence of prolactin excess on GnRH pulsatile secretion.

[How to treat anorexia nervosa?--case report].

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with obsessive fear of gaining weight. It is a complex condition involving psychological, neuroendocrine, hormonal and metabolic components. The following is a case report of a young patient diagnosed as anorexia nervosa and primary amenorrhea, without the development of secondary female characteristics.

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: current view on neuroendocrine aberrations.

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is defined as a non-organic and reversible disorder in which the impairment of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatile secretion plays a key role. There are main three types of FHA: stress-related amenorrhea, weight loss-related amenorrhea and exercise-related amenorrhea. The spectrum of GnRH-luteinizing hormone (LH) disturbances in FHA is very broad and includes lower mean frequency of LH pulses, complete absence of LH pulsatility, normal-appearing secretion pattern and higher mean frequency of LH pulses.

[Anorexia nervosa--new view on neuroendocrine and genetic determinations].

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, characterized by low body weight, distorted body image, amenorrhea and an intense fear of gaining weight. The occurrence of anorexia nervosa has increased over the past 10 years among adolescents and young women and it is estimated to occur in 0,5-1% of population. The Anorexia nervosa is not only a psychiatric illness may have many serious gynecological and medical ramifications.

Serum levels of 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome, idiopathic hirsutism and in normal subjects.

Objective: The study objective was to assess the role of 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3alpha-diolG) as the marker of peripheral androgen action in the young women with hirsutism diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in patients with idiopathic hirsutism (IH) and in normal non-hirsute women.

Study Design: Fifty-nine young women with mean age 21.90+/-3.

Clinical evaluation of patients with weight loss-related amenorrhea: neuropeptide Y and luteinizing hormone pulsatility.

Aim: To characterize patients with weight loss-related amenorrhea and controls with respect to the pulsatility of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Subjects: Nine young women (aged 20.23+/-2.

[Genetic aspects of premature ovarian failure].

Among the causes of premature ovarian failure (POF) two groups of factors are reported: factors which lead to decrease of follicular number and factors which stimulate follicular atresia. In the first group genetic factors are the most important whereas in the second: enzymatic autoimmunological, iatrogenic, toxins and infections are reported. In 1986 familiar POF on the background of long arm of chromosome X deletion was reported.

[The role of oocyte in the genetic determinations of fertility and infertility].

Oocyte specific genes play important role in the foliculogenesis, ovulation, fertilization and early embryogenesis. It is suggested that 17-20% of infertility in both sex has idiopathic aspect. This kind of infertility is mainly associated with genetic background.

[The influence of HRT on exercise performance in women with coronary artery disease].

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on exercise tolerance and ischemia during treadmill exercise test.

Design: Prospective, cohort study.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-six postmenopausal women with proven coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled into the study (31 were assigned to HRT and 25 were matched as a control group).

[Relationship between climacteric symptoms and serum neuropeptide Y level in postmenopausal women].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine circulating levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in postmenopausal women with climacteric symptoms in comparison with regularly menstruating women in reproductive age and to assess the relationship between serum NPY levels and the presence of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: We studied 41 postmenopausal patients attending the Clinic of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań because of climacteric complaints. The controls were 20 regularly menstruating women in reproductive age.

Influence of hormonal replacement therapy on the regional cerebral blood flow in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: The aim of this study was evaluation of the influence of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on the regional cerebral blood flow in postmenopausal women.

Methods: The study group were 20 postmenopausal women, mean age 48.7 years (S.